The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has demanded the implementation of the recommendations made by the Motlanthe Commission which was established to investigate the 1 August 2018 killings.
Six civilians were shot dead by soldiers in central Harare during protests over delays in announcing presidential election results.
Thirty-five others were wounded in the shootings, forcing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint a commission headed by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, to probe the killings.
The Motlanthe Commission, recommended, among other things, compensation to families of the deceased as well as prosecution of the killers.
In a letter dated October 18, 2022, addressed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, CiZC chairperson Peter Mutasa said:
We address you in your capacity as the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce which was tasked with addressing issues arising from the findings of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry report.
We write to your esteemed office expressing our reservations over the failure of the Government of Zimbabwe to implement recommendations of the seven-member Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry following the events of August 1, 2018, that resulted in the death of six civilians at the hands of the army following protests over the late announcement of Presidential election results in Harare.
Mutasa raised the issue of security sector reforms which he said should be addressed. He said:
So far, the Government of Zimbabwe has not instituted security sector reforms to ensure that the military acts within the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and in conformity with human rights norms and standards.
The State is still to implement Section 210 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that provides for an Independent Complaints Mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from the members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct.
The Independent Complaints Mechanism is a crucial body in light of the increasing cases of human rights abuses linked to security.
| NewsDay